WASHINGTON, June 26 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama, under pressure from some lawmakers for greater U.S. backing for Syria's opposition, on Thursday asked the U.S. Congress approve $500 million to train and equip moderate Syrian rebels seeking to oust President Bashar al-Assad.
A White House statement said rebels would be vetted before being given assistance, in an effort to assuage concerns that some equipment provided to the Syrian opposition might ultimately fall into the hands of American enemies.
Obama has been under strong pressure from some lawmakers to increase assistance to the Syrian opposition in that country's civil war. (Reporting By Steve Holland and Mark Felsenthal; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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